Here is a Recently minted Press release from CACS which describes their partnership with Alcatel. This is very encouraging news and probably explains why CACS has shown so much strength the last few days.
Alcatel Teams with Carrier Access to Accelerate BPON FTTP Deployments; Companies Announce Inter-Operability Between PON Product Lines; Joint Solution Receives High Marks at Multiple Beta Customers
PARIS, Oct 7, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) (BOURSE:CGEP)and
Carrier Access (NASDAQ: CACS), today announced the completion of interoperability
testing between the Alcatel 7340 fiber-to-the-user (FTTU) passive optical
network (PON) product line and the Carrier Access Exxtenz optical network
terminal (ONT) for business applications. The testing completion underscores
both companies' commitment to delivering standards-based solutions that are
interoperable in multi-vendor environments.
By making their products interoperable, Alcatel and Carrier Access are providing
operators with greater flexibility and increased product choices, thereby
strengthening the value proposition of fiber-based broadband network
technologies.
"This is a milestone in the evolution of PON development that will foster market
competition among vendors and contribute to large-scale deployment," states Matt
Davis, director broadband access technology, with the Yankee Group.
"Interoperability presents operators with more flexibility when assessing their
vendor requirements in different areas of the network and allows them to choose
best of breed solutions."
Both the Alcatel and Carrier Access equipment is based on the ITU-T G.983
broadband PON (BPON) standard, and the combination is a first in the industry.
The combined solution has been installed with initial beta customers and has
received high marks for quality and performance. The solution is now generally
available.
"The ONT is a crucial element in driving deployments of BPON access
technologies, and the interoperable approach allows Alcatel to take a leadership
position in delivering FTTU solutions as the market evolves," said Mark Klimek,
senior director of marketing and business development of FTTU at Alcatel. "We've
demonstrated support for standards-based access solutions in the DSL arena, and
we're now carrying this forward in the fiber-access market. Carrier Access is an
important partner in this effort."
"We began R&D investments in BPON approximately three years ago, with the
purpose of integrating low-cost fiber access for businesses services," said
Roger Koenig, CEO and president of Carrier Access. "Our early success with beta
customers and the growing customer activity in the RBOC, IOC and municipality
segments confirms the maturity of our complete fiber access solution for
Ethernet, Voice, T1, and Video business services that we have delivered with
Alcatel. Our joint BPON solution provides a significant step forward in using
low-cost fiber to economically deliver a full suite of broadband services to
business and government customers."
The testing with Carrier Access underscores Alcatel's commitment to
interoperability, while complementing the company's existing fiber access
portfolio, which consists of the Alcatel P-OLT, H-ONT, B-ONT and AMS. Teaming
with Alcatel offers Carrier Access an opportunity to expand its robust portfolio
of solutions for business users and seize new opportunities in the emerging PON
market, and deliver economically sound fiber-based access solutions to business
users.
-- RBOC: Regional Bell Operating Company
-- IOC: Independent Operating Company
-- P-OLT : PON - Optical Line Terminal
-- H-ONT : Home - Optical Network Terminal |
